Trichocolletes leucogenys

Trichocolletes leucogenys
Female
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Clade: Pancrustacea
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Colletidae
Genus: Trichocolletes
Species:
T. leucogenys
Binomial name
Trichocolletes leucogenys
Batley & Houston, 2012[1][2]

Trichocolletes leucogenys is a species of bee in the family Colletidae and the subfamily Colletinae. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 2012 by Australian entomologists Michael Batley and Terry Houston.[1][2]

Etymology

The specific epithet leucogenys (Greek: 'white cheeks') refers to the dense, white, facial hair of the male.[1]

Description

The body length is about 12–13 mm. The eyes are hairy. Colouration is mainly black and brown, with narrow silver metasomal bands, and with orange and white hair.[1][2]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in south-western Australia. The type locality is Dryandra State Forest, 27 km north-west of Narrogin.[1][2]

Behaviour

The adults are flying mellivores. Flowering plants visited by the bees include Chorizema racemosum, Daviesia aphylla, Daviesia brevifolia, Daviesia costata, Daviesia decurrens, Gastrolobium parviflorum and Jacksonia compressa.[1][2]

Trichocolletes leucogenys bee caught by a crab spider
Male

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Batley, M; Houston, TF (2012). "Revision of the Australian bee genus Trichocolletes Cockerell (Hymenoptera: Colletidae: Paracolletini)" (PDF). Records of the Australian Museum. 64 (1): 1–50 [25]. Retrieved 2026-06-09.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Species Trichocolletes leucogenys Batley & Houston, 2012". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2026. Retrieved 2026-06-09.